Continuous railway transportation system

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a continuously movable device operable by a.c. voltage on a railway powered by a linear motor. When a.c. voltage is fed to the movable device or to the railway, a magnetic system mounted on the movable device generates magnetic attraction or repulsion between this magnetic system and another magnetic system fixed to the railway effecting the movable device to move thereon.

United States Patent Lee [451 Oct.31, 1972 [54] CONTINUOUS RAILWAYTRANSPORTATION SYSTEM [72] Inventor: Geun Sam Lee, No. 12-6, 3-chome,

Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: Oct. 23, 1970 211 App].No.: 83,467

[52] US. Cl ..104/148 LM, 104/25, 105/49, 310/13 [51] Int. Cl.....B61b13/00, B61c 11/00, H02k 41/02 [58] Field of Search ..104/25, 148 LM;105/49; 310/13 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,265,0108/1966 Makiri 104/25 3,610,972 10/1971 Pelenc ..104/148 LM PrimaryExaminer-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-1-loward BeltranAttorney-Michael S. Striker [57] ABSTRACT 10 Claims, 10 Drawing FiguresPKTENTI-iilnma: m2

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6' JM L50 BY 1/411 #4. v 4 7 CONTINUOUS RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMDETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION energy generated between apermanent magnet system and a variable electric magnet system of whicheach of N and S poles is changed into contrary quality of polarity ofthe magnet alternately by a.c. voltage.

The other object of this invention is to provide a continuous movabledevice including two or more magnetic systems if necessary, for thepurpose of increasing output to move the device, one of said magneticsystems is provided on the movable device while the other is fixed tothe railway.

Further object of this invention is to provide a continuous movabledevice including a rooped or straight or curved endless railwayutilizing with various kinds of electric movable devices such as trains,elevators and as forth.

These and other objects of the invention will be more fully disclosed bythe following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsin which certain preferred embodiments of the invention are illustratedand in which:

FIGS. 1A 1C are diagrams illustrating respectively a movable devicewhich is consisted of a variable electric magnetic system operated bya.c. voltage.

FIGS. 2A 2C are diagrams illustrating respectively a railway which isconsisted of a variable electric magnetic system operated by a.c.voltage.

FIGS. 3A 3B are vertical sectional views of the above mentionedembodiments.

FIGS. 4A 4B are side views of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A 3B.

An example of this invention is shown in FIGS. 1A 1C wherein a pluralityof permanent magnets 2, 2, 2" are fixed to a guide means or railway 1forming an unvariable magnetic system a, each pole of said magnets isarranged being situated by turns in such a position as N, S, N, S andbetween each magnet is provided a desired interval.

A variable magnet system which is varied by magnetic energy is set atthe opposite side of the permanent magnetic system which is consisted ofpermanent magnets 2,2, 2"

Said variable magnet system b positioned within the magnetic field ofthe permanent magnets 2, 2', 2" is fed by a.c. voltage to energize N andS poles alternately with the frequency of a.c. voltage.

The magnetic system b is positioned on the movable device 5 providedwith pulleys 4 and a brush 9 through which a.c. voltage 10 is suppliedby means of an electric conductor 6.

Now, the operation of the present invention will be explained accordingto FIGS. 1A 1C.

In FIG. 1A, both a permanent magnet 2 and an electric magnet 3 havingthe same N poles at their facing sides, they have repulsionrespectively. When the electric magnet 3 is energized by an initialenergy, it starts in the direction of the arrow directing, enforcing themovable device 5 to move in the same direction as the arrow. When themovable device 5 begins to move, it is attracted to the permanent magnet2' of S, because the polarity of the electric magnet 3 is of N, whilethat of the adjacent permanent magnet 2' is of S, as shown in FIG. 1B.When the magnetic system b of the movable device 5 is fed with a.c.voltage change of frequency of the current changes the polaritycontrarily, such that the polarity of the electric magnet 3 is changedinto S, when the movable device 5 moved to the position shown in FIG.1C, to effect to be repelled by the permanent magnet 2 of S, and to moveon by inertia given by the starting energy, repeating the same operationas shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, to go along the railway 1 in thedetermined direction.

Verocity of the movable device 5 is controlled by change of frequencyfed from an electric power source or from the movable device 5 andnumber of poles of electric magnets 3.

In FIGS. 2A 2C are shown another embodiment of the present invention.The movable device 5 comprises a fixed permanent magnetic system a and arailway l on which being mounted a variable electric magnetic system bof which magnetic field is varied by a.c. voltage fed from an electricpower source at a determined interval.

The fixed permanent magnetic system a is consisted of a desired numberof permanent magnets (2), (2), (2)" arranged on the movable device 5,the poles of which being set against electric magnets 3, 3, 3 which arearranged in a line in the variable magnetic system b fixed to therailway 1. Between the electric magnets are provided sensitiveconductive elements 7, 7', 7 which are operated by pressure of burdeningof the movable device 5 to conduct electric flow to control the passageto the electric magnets 3, 3, 3" through a switch circuit 8 so as tosupply a.c. voltage thereto 3, 3', 3" respectively.

The operation will be further explained according to FIGS. 2A 2C.

The permanent magnet 2 of the movable device 5 having N pole, being setagainst the variable magnetic system b at the same time, arranged in theopposite side of the electric magnet 3 having N pole which repels thepermanent magnet 2 to effect the movable device 5 to move, at the sametime, a desired starting energy is given thereto, to move in thedirection of the arrow directing as shown in FIG. 2B.

The sensitive conductive element 7 is operated by pressure of burdeningof the movable device 5 to conduct electric flow to close the passage tothe electric magnet 3 positioned just after the same 3, through theswitch circuit 8 so as to supply a.c. voltage thereto 3' to change thepolarity into S pole which attracts the permanent magnet 2 of themovable device 5.

In FIG. 2C, the movable device 5 is in the position wherein the movabledevice 5 loses a magnetic influence upon the sensitive conductiveelement 7 which opens then the switch circuit 8 so as to stop electriccurrent to be supplied to the electric magnet 3', so that the polarityof the permanent magnet 2 changed into N pole which is similar to thatof the electric magnet 3'.

Then, the permanent magnet 2 is repelled so as to move co-operated withinertia of itself in the direction of the arrow directing.

Thus, the operation is repeated continuously, the movable device 5 ismoved on the railway l.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, as the variable magnetic systemb is mounted on the railway 1, a.c. voltage from the electric powersource is supplied through a conductive wire 6 which is provided alongthe railway 1.

For this purpose, sensitive conductive elements 7, 7 7" are employed inthis embodiment wherein only specific electric magnets are energized bythe moving device 5 so as to save electricity to consume. In case thelength of the railway is made shorter, for simplifying the constructionthe electric magnets 3, 3', 3" may be connected to the a.c. power source9. And also, the sensitive conductive elements 7, 7 7 may be provided tooperate a plurality of electric magnets 3, 3, 3" within the railway torun thereon for the movable device 5.

In FIG. 2, a leading wire for a regulator 12 is connected to each of theswitch circuits 8, 8', 8" to control remotely the movable device 5 byvarying the frequency and voltage for regulating the speed, standstilland starting thereof.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 3A and 4Ain which-a mono-rail typed movable device 5 hanging on a railway 1 isillustrated. This typed movable device 5 has a plurality of pulleys 4which are mounted on the railway l beneath which the permanent magneticsystem a is fixed against the variable magnetic system consisted of aplurality of variable magnets 3 being mounted on the movable device 5.

ln FIGS. 3B and 4B is shown still another embodiment in which thepermanent magnetic system a is arranged between a pair of rails inparallel. The variable magnetic system b is mounted on the movabledevice 5 opposingly to the permanent magnetic system a.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the permanent magnetic system a is arranged adjacentthe railway 1, while the variable magnetic system b is mounted on themovable device 5, but arrangement of each system may be changedcontrarily.

The permanent magnetic system a in the FIGS. has been illustrated as apermanent magnet, but the permanent magnet may be substituted anelectric fixed magnetic system therefor.

As mentioned above, the present invention comprises a fixed magneticsystem consisted of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in a lineon a railway, a movable device on which a variable magnetic system beingprovided, alternating electric current being fed to said invariable orsaid variable magnetic system for the purpose of supplying electricpower to change continuously the magnetic poles of N and S into contraryqualities effecting to produce magnetic attractive or repelling energyso as to move said movable device in a desired direction. So that, themovable device is movable on said railway unlimitedly, and available instead of the well known electric rotating motor as an electric power,which is possible to move straightly, effectively and affirmatively, andcarry a desired thing in any direction at a free speed providing a powersource for a straight movement by using the simple constructed device ofthe present invention which has a large extent of utilization for apower source for a straight movement.

As stated above, two kinds of embodiments according to the presentinvention have been described, but

the present invention is not be restricted within said embodiments, andany change or changes can be performed within the scope of the technicalart of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A transportation apparatus comprising railway guide means defining anelongated path; movable device means arranged to be guided and movealong said guide means; a fixed magnetic system arranged on one of saidmeans for generating a fixed magnetic field; a variable magnetic systemarranged on the other of said means for generating a variable magneticfield in the region of said fixed magnetic field so that said fieldsinteract, the magnetic system arranged on said guide means extendingalong substantially the entire elongated path; a source of alternatingcurrent; and connecting means for connecting said source of alternatingcurrent to said variable magnetic system, whereby said variable magneticfield alternates in response to current flow in said alternating fieldcooperating with said fixed magnetic field to exert forces on saidmovable device means and propel the same along said guide means.

2. A transportation apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said guidemeans comprises a railway track, and wherein said fixed magnetic systemexhibits fixed magnetic poles, said alternating magnetic system exhibitsalternating magnetic poles which are adjacent to said fixed magneticpoles when said movable device moves along said railway tracks, themovement of said movable device being effected by the magneticattraction and repulsion of said fixed and said alternating magneticpoles.

3. A transportation apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said fixedmagnetic system is arranged on said guide means and said variablemagnetic system is arranged on said movable device means.

4. A transportation apparatus as' defined in claim 3, wherein said fixedmagnetic system comprises a plurality of permanent magnets arrangedalong said path so that the polarity of the magnetic poles of adjacentpermanent magnets alternate along said path with respect to said movablevariable magnetic system.

5. A transportation apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein saidconnecting means comprises an elongated conductive means extending alongsaid guide means and connected to said source of alternating current;and brush means connected to said variable magnetic system and arrangedto contact said conductive means while said movable device means movesalong said guide means.

6. A transportation apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said fixedmagnetic system is arranged on said movable device means and saidvariable magnetic system is arranged on said guide means.

7. A transportation apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said fixedmagnetic system comprises a permanent magnet.

8. A transportation apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein saidalternating magnetic system comprises a plurality of variable magnetsarranged along said path so that at least those variable magnets in theregion of said movable device means have the polarity of their magneticpoles alternate along said path with respect to said movable fixedmagnetic system.

9. A transportation apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprisingregulating means connected to said variable magnets and to said sourceof alternating current for remotely controlling the frequency and themagnitude of the voltage applied to the latter to thereby change thefrequency at which said magnetic poles change as well as change thestrength of said magnetic poles; whereby the speed, acceleration anddeceleration of said movable device means can be con-

1. A transportation apparatus comprising railway guide means defining anelongated path; movable device means arranged to be guided and movealong said guide means; a fixed magnetic system arranged on one of saidmeans for generating a fixed magnetic field; a variable magnetic systemarranged on the other of said means for generating a variable magneticfield in the region of said fixed magnetic field so that said fieldsinteract, the magnetic system arranged on said guide means extendingalong substantially the entire elongated path; a source of alternatingcurrent; and connecting means for connecting said source of alternatingcurrent to said variable magnetic system, whereby said variable magneticfield alternates in response to current flow in said alternatingmagnetic system, said alternating field cooperating with said fixedmagnetic field to exert forces on said movable device means and propeLthe same along said guide means.
 2. A transportation apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein said guide means comprises a railway track,and wherein said fixed magnetic system exhibits fixed magnetic poles,said alternating magnetic system exhibits alternating magnetic poleswhich are adjacent to said fixed magnetic poles when said movable devicemoves along said railway tracks, the movement of said movable devicebeing effected by the magnetic attraction and repulsion of said fixedand said alternating magnetic poles.
 3. A transportation apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein said fixed magnetic system is arranged onsaid guide means and said variable magnetic system is arranged on saidmovable device means.
 4. A transportation apparatus as defined in claim3, wherein said fixed magnetic system comprises a plurality of permanentmagnets arranged along said path so that the polarity of the magneticpoles of adjacent permanent magnets alternate along said path withrespect to said movable variable magnetic system.
 5. A transportationapparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said connecting means comprisesan elongated conductive means extending along said guide means andconnected to said source of alternating current; and brush meansconnected to said variable magnetic system and arranged to contact saidconductive means while said movable device means moves along said guidemeans.
 6. A transportation apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein saidfixed magnetic system is arranged on said movable device means and saidvariable magnetic system is arranged on said guide means.
 7. Atransportation apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said fixedmagnetic system comprises a permanent magnet.
 8. A transportationapparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said alternating magneticsystem comprises a plurality of variable magnets arranged along saidpath so that at least those variable magnets in the region of saidmovable device means have the polarity of their magnetic poles alternatealong said path with respect to said movable fixed magnetic system.
 9. Atransportation apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprisingregulating means connected to said variable magnets and to said sourceof alternating current for remotely controlling the frequency and themagnitude of the voltage applied to the latter to thereby change thefrequency at which said magnetic poles change as well as change thestrength of said magnetic poles; whereby the speed, acceleration anddeceleration of said movable device means can be controlled.
 10. Atransportation apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprisingsensitive element means connected to said regulating means detecting theposition of said movable device means along said path and forselectively causing the energization of only those variable magnets inproximity with said movable device means.